To all those having trouble reaching a human at California Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/Ize0EkN4HDI

I had the same issue! Even though I verified with ID.me for EDD, Bank of America requires their own separate identity verification process. You'll need to visit a BOA branch with two forms of ID - I brought my driver's license and passport. The process was actually pretty quick once I got there, took about 15 minutes. Make sure to call ahead to confirm what forms of ID they accept, as some locations might have specific requirements. Once verified at BOA, you should be able to access your debit card account normally.

Quick tip: Check your spam folder too. Sometimes EDD emails end up there. But regardless, you should always certify every two weeks on your regular schedule, typically Sunday. Your certification date should be visible on your UI Online homepage. After you certify, payments usually process within 24-48 hours if there are no issues with your claim.

Glad you got it sorted out! This is such a common issue with EDD - their notification system is unreliable at best. For anyone else reading this, I'd recommend setting up a calendar reminder every two weeks on your certification day. Also, if you're using the EDD mobile app, it sometimes shows certification weeks available even when the website doesn't send notifications. The key is being proactive rather than waiting for EDD to tell you when it's time to certify.

Based on all the comments, here's a simplified roadmap for you: 1. Apply for regular unemployment benefits first (based on your CNA job loss) 2. During the application, indicate you're attending school/training 3. Once your regular UI claim is established, submit the DE 3100 form to request CTB status 4. Provide documentation from your nursing program including enrollment verification and program details 5. Continue certifying for benefits while your CTB request is processed 6. Answer "Yes" to the school/training question during certification 7. When approved for CTB, you'll be exempt from work search requirements Your 6-week timeframe since job loss is well within the acceptable range for filing. Good luck with your nursing program!

Hey Sergio! Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - make sure you keep detailed records of everything throughout this process. Save copies of your DE 3100 form, all correspondence with EDD, and any documentation from your nursing school. I also kept a log of phone calls and reference numbers from when I spoke with EDD representatives. The CTB program can be a lifesaver for nursing students, but EDD's systems can be glitchy and sometimes lose paperwork. Having your own complete file saved me when there was confusion about my CTB status renewal midway through my program. Also, don't panic if your first few certifications show as "pending" - that's normal while they process your CTB request. The payments will be backdated once approved. Good luck with your studies! Nursing school is tough but so worth it. The financial stress relief from CTB benefits really helped me focus on my coursework instead of worrying about bills.

UPDATE: I just managed to log in! Seems like the system might be coming back up. Try again now everyone!

I've been dealing with similar login issues for the past few days too. What's really frustrating is that EDD doesn't seem to have a reliable way to notify users when these outages happen - I had to find out about the maintenance from this thread! For anyone still having trouble, I've found that using an incognito/private browser window sometimes helps, and also trying the mobile app instead of the website. The app seems to handle the server load a bit better sometimes. Really hope they get their system stability sorted out soon because this happens way too often.

Update: I just submitted my appeal forms for both the disqualification and the overpayment! I gathered all the job application confirmations I could find (only had about 60% of them saved) and wrote a detailed explanation about how I misunderstood the documentation requirements but was actively searching for work the whole time. Now the waiting game begins... has anyone gone through an appeal hearing yet? What was it like?

I went through a very similar situation last year and want to share what worked for me. I was disqualified for work search issues and got hit with a $3,600 overpayment notice. Here's what I learned: 1. File BOTH appeals immediately - they're separate processes even though they're related 2. For the work search appeal, focus on proving you were actively looking but didn't understand the specific documentation requirements 3. Keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit and send via certified mail 4. If you can't afford repayment, definitely request the hardship waiver on the overpayment appeal The key thing that helped my case was showing a pattern of consistent job searching (even with incomplete documentation) rather than periods of no activity. I also emphasized that I received the benefits in good faith and spent them on necessities like rent and food. My hearing was scheduled about 6 weeks after I filed the appeal, and I won both the disqualification reversal and overpayment waiver. The judge seemed to understand that the work search documentation rules can be confusing for people who are genuinely trying to comply. Don't give up - you have legitimate grounds for appeal here!